Ultraviolet Keratitis

A slit lamp lets the doctor closely examine the eye.

Ultraviolet keratitis is when exposure to too much UV (ultraviolet) light hurts your cornea. This causes pain and affects your vision. The cornea is the clear cover on the front part of your eye. It helps focus light. It protects your eye from dust and germs. The cornea also filters UV rays before they enter your eye.

Risk factors

UV damage to your cornea can be caused by:

Reflected sunlight from snow or water

Sunlamps

Halogen lamps or welding torches

Lightning

Exposure to direct sunlight for too long

When to go to the emergency room (ER)

Symptoms of ultraviolet keratitis appear 6 to 12 hours after damage occurs. Call your health care provider or 911 right away if you have any symptoms after light exposure. Symptoms include:

Eye redness and tearing

Eye pain, which may worsen when you move your eyes

Flashing spots or flashes of light

Changes in your vision

Feeling like you have something in your eye

Sensitivity to light

Seeing bright circles (halos) around a light source

Eyelid swelling or twitching

What to expect in the ER

A health care provider will ask about your exposure to UV light. He or she will check your eyes carefully using a microscope with a bright light (a slit lamp). A special fluid (fluorescein dye) may be placed on your cornea. This helps to show damage more clearly.

Depending on your symptoms, you may have one or more of the following treatments:

Medicines to help reduce pain

An antibiotic ointment to prevent an eye infection

An eye patch to help with healing and ease mild pain

Follow-up

Call your health care provider if your pain or vision problems last more than 48 hours.

Never look directly at a solar eclipse. This can cause serious damage to your eyes.